TxKent
Premium
join:2001-05-18
Pflugerville, TX
 ·Suddenlink
 ·AT&T Southwest
|  Favorite places in Austin area for computer stuff
Where do you other folks shop for computer parts & such? I go to Fry's, sometimes Altex if I need a fan or an adapter or a cable or something, and a little place I found on Burnet called CompuSource.
I've been into MicroChip computers, asked for a specific part and was very curtly told "We don't have any." I asked when they had some coming in, and the reply was "I dunno." They seemed very disinterested in my business, and that's the day I found CompuSource.
I'm not really looking for a Best Buy - I'd rather support a locally owned business.
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Kent |
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jmn1207
Premium
join:2000-07-19
Reston, VA
 ·Verizon FIOS
| I generally shop at Fry's, also. I have stopped at Tinkertronics if I'm close and need something that they carry. Mostly cables and electronics odds and ends like connectors, wire, heatshrink, or soldering materials. I'll have to give CompuSource a look.
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If you woke up breathing, congratulations! You have another chance! |
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SRFireside
join:2001-01-19
Houston, TX
| reply to TxKent
Sorry to hear MicroChip hasn't been winning you over. That's actually the first place I look regarding PC parts. I call frist to make sure they have what I am looking for and for how much. My next choice locally is Fry's. For a large place with assembly line style checkout they sure do a good job. I used to hit Best Buy for the quickie NIC card or audio component before I experienced Fry's.
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When do I get my freakin' third star?!?!? |
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DrTCP
Yours truly
Premium,ExMod 1999-04
join:1999-11-09
Round Rock, TX
| Since I shop mostly online I tend to not use brick and mortar stores mostly. I do check the stores occasionally to see what is available on the shelves and get an idea of prices as well. For computer shop sightseeing Fry's is the best with extensive availability.
If I do buy from from brick and mortar stores, it is generally if I would like to test and return if it does not perform to my expectations. Fry's and Bestbuy has good return policies. CompUSA and CircuitCity are to be avoided if you think you will be returning soon. |
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TxKent
Premium
join:2001-05-18
Pflugerville, TX
·Suddenlink
·AT&T Southwest
| said by DrTCP:
Since I shop mostly online I tend to not use brick and mortar stores mostly
I agree - you get much better prices online - but I'm very impatient, and UPS is TOO SLOW. Maybe they should offer Dale Jarrett Service - where he delivers to my house in his #88 Ford. Guess I'm cheap too, because I don't usually pay to upgrade delivery. I abhor getting packages via FedEx because I have to drive up Howard to go get them (they never leave them at the door.)
I'm in the market for a new video card, so I might get it locally - if I can find one that I really like. DVD playback is a bit jittery with my current 16mb 2x AGP card. I'll definitely give MicroChip another chance at my business. Hopefully I'll have a better experience next time.
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Kent |
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SRFireside
join:2001-01-19
Houston, TX
| said by TxKent:
I'm in the market for a new video card, so I might get it locally - if I can find one that I really like. DVD playback is a bit jittery with my current 16mb 2x AGP card.
Funny you should mention that. I have my old video card on eBay as we speak. It's a GeForce 256 w/ 32MB DDR memory and the current bid price is around $36. It's an ASUS V6800 Deluxe and I am offering a mess of games with it. If you want to check it out the item # is 2010378377. Feel free to message me if your interested or have questions.
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When do I get my freakin' third star?!?!? |
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TxKent
Premium
join:2001-05-18
Pflugerville, TX | reply to TxKent
I've kinda got my heart set on an ATI Radeon 7200 with all the bells and whistles...
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Kent |
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SRFireside
join:2001-01-19
Houston, TX | Sweet! |
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Raven457
join:2001-09-28
Austin, TX | reply to TxKent
Frys - without a doubt, it's gotta be Frys - Altex and MCHowards for strange and weird stuff. =) I'll hit the WorstBuy/CompUSSR/ShortCircuitCity on the weekends if I'm bored though, mostly for sales.
Raven - |
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TxKent
Premium
join:2001-05-18
Pflugerville, TX | What is MCHowards? Never heard of that. |
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TreeTopFlyer
join:2001-12-14
Houston, TX
| reply to TxKent
AES Technologies on Longhorn (just off of Burnett) has been around longer than anyone. It's always been nice to know that if you have a problem with something you bought, they're there to take care of it. Besides new stuff, great selection of used parts. I'm not in Austin much anymore, but I highly recommend them. You might pay a couple of bucks more on a $50 dollar item, but it's well worth it knowing that they'll be there . . . |
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rstuckey
join:2001-08-26
Austin, TX
| reply to TxKent
Come on now; Altex or Tinkertronics are okay, but the real deals are online: Shipping usually less than tax (for the larger purchases almost always).
Here's where to go:
Search
»www.pricewatch.com/
»www.streetprices.com/Electronics···ware_PC/
Two specific places
»www.computergate.com/cgi-bin/start
»www.us.buy.com/ |
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Anav
Sarcastic Llama? Naw, Just Acerbic
Premium
join:2001-07-16
Dartmouth, NS
|  Being from Canada, I have no clue. (hah no funny replies) on where to get stuff in Austin. I got here thru Dr TCPs free advert.. I would like to say how lucky you are to have Austin City Limits music show (right city?)
Anyway my advice is ,, if you want kewl computer gear you could probably find it at Lucky Lukes abode. I mean just to see it, give it a test drive and talk to the expert himself 
I know next time I'm in Austin, I will be certain to drop by for some cold beer, (I hope he drinks real Canadian Beer.)
Cheers
(If the women don't find ya handsome, they should at least find ya handy. Remember were all in this together!!) |
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bbrkdub
join:2001-10-03
Houston, TX
| reply to TxKent
For Mom and Pop computer shops, go to Microchip. If you ever ask any questions talk to the manager/owner Brook; he's a cool character. Avoid Logic Approach.
For general electronics, go to Best Buy or Fry's. Best Buy is generally cheaper, but Fry's has more items and I just recently found they do pricematching. Avoid CompUSA and Circuit City.
All that being said, the real computer deals are online. Here are the URLs of some vendors I shop with:
»www.bunta.com
»www.mwave.com
»www.cruxworks.com
»www.techstore.com (for Antec cases only).
I primarily shop with mwave.com. |
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rstuckey
join:2001-08-26
Austin, TX | reply to TxKent
Hey anav, if you're ever here, come by and we'll drink a few Molsons.
Too bad the export stuff is usually not as good as the originals.... |
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Anav
Sarcastic Llama? Naw, Just Acerbic
Premium
join:2001-07-16
Dartmouth, NS | I get the hint!!! Though these days I seem to be drinking SOL, which is from ur parts,,well a little further south anyway. |
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bassthumpa
Premium
join:2000-12-26
Austin, TX
| reply to bbrkdub
said by mojosan:
All that being said, the real computer deals are online. Here are the URLs of some vendors I shop with:
»www.bunta.com
»www.mwave.com
»www.cruxworks.com
»www.techstore.com (for Antec cases only).
I primarily shop with mwave.com.
Newegg is by far the best online computer shop that I've ever used, mwave second.
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Light travels faster than sound, so some people appear to be bright until you hear them speak. |
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bbrkdub
join:2001-10-03
Houston, TX | Thanks for the URL. However, I checked out their site, but they seem to be about the same as mwave. Are they usually a couple of bucks less? I noticed they both have a 15% restocking fee. |
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